Italian Style Chicken Salad

Ingredients and Weight:

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb)
• 1 cup cooked rotini pasta
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

15 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Simple)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Grill or pan-sear chicken breasts until cooked through. Let cool, then shred or dice.
2. Combine rotini, celery, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and basil in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
5. Add shredded chicken and stir until evenly distributed.

Nutritional Information:

(Per serving, based on 8 servings)

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 15g (25% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 4g (20% DV)
• Cholesterol: 70mg (23% DV)
• Sodium: 500mg (20% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (10% DV)
• Protein: 25g (50% DV)

Dish Characteristics:

• Bright and flavorful with a combination of sweet, savory, and tangy notes
• Refreshing and light yet filling
• Perfect for a summer lunch or dinner
• Easily customizable to personal taste (e.g., add more vegetables, cheese, or different seasonings)

User Comments:

• "This salad is simply delicious. The flavors are well-balanced and the chicken is perfectly tender."
• "I love the combination of sun-dried tomatoes and basil. It gives the salad a unique Italian flair."
• "This is my go-to salad for warm weather. It's light and healthy but also satisfying."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• To save time, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.
• If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute with chopped dried cranberries or chopped artichoke hearts.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add more vegetables or beans.